Category: COVID-19 Corona Virus

While police officers have gone out of their way to enforce COVID-19 lockdown regulations for the past 80 days, 14 of them have succumbed to illness related to the virus, Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed.

The deceased were part of 1 685 confirmed cases in the South African Police Services (SAPS).

Cele confirmed the figures during a multidisciplinary operation to assess adherence to COVID-19 regulations during Level 3 in Soweto on Saturday.

“The Western Cape has 1 134 positive cases, followed by the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. Over 600 of the officers have recovered from this virus and are back to serving our communities.”

The operation was one of seven activities carried out across the Gauteng province on Saturday, 13 June, consisting of members of the South African Police Service, supported by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Cele praised compliance in some areas in the township. However, he warned that some residents are still not taking social distancing seriously.

“There is also still an issue of non-compliance when it comes to the movement of alcohol. The law says you must drink alcohol at home and not in groups. The non-gathering regulation still exists.”

The operations saw police seize alcohol that was consumed in public spaces, as well as illegally sold cigarettes. Scores are of people were arrested for contravening Regulations of the Disaster Management Act.

During the operation, Cele also took the opportunity to condemn the heinous killing of women and children in the country.

“Gender-based violence is a societal issue that needs law enforcement and arms of justice to work hand in hand with civic organisations and formations to confront this monster head-on.

“I’m pleased that police have made arrests in the case where a young women was found murdered and dumped in a veld in Doornkop. That person will appear in court on Monday,” said the Minister.

He said police are tracking down a suspect in connection with the murder of 28-year-old Tshegofatso Pule.

South Africa now has 70 038 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1 480 recorded deaths.

The country recorded 4 302 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday — the biggest single jump since the outbreak, bringing the total number of infections to 70 038.

Of the recent deaths, 42 are from the Western Cape, 10 from the Eastern Cape and five from KwaZulu-Natal, bringing the mortality rate to 2.1%.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

The Western Cape has the highest number of infections, with 42 539 cases, followed by Gauteng with 11 1164, Eastern Cape with 10 027 and KwaZulu-Natal 3 874.

Free State has 495 cases, Limpopo 326, Mpumalanga 297, Northern Cape 156 and 63 are still unknown.

Meanwhile, 38 531 people have recovered and over 1 million tests have been conducted since the outbreak.

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Forty water tanks have been distributed to 11 needy schools in the City of Tshwane in a bid to protect learners against the spread of Coronavirus.

Learners in Grade 7 and 12 across the country returned to school on Monday, two months after the country went into lockdown to prevent the transmission of the disease and to flatten the curve.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said 36 water tanks have been distributed to nine schools in Hammanskraal, while four tanks were distributed to two schools in Sokhulumi in the City of Tshwane.

“The nine schools are in areas that have been identified as hotspots in Hammanskraal, and therefore are required to increase their safety measures by supplying water tanks. Each school in Hammanskraal benefited from four 2 500-litre water tanks, while in Sokhulumi, the two schools each received two 5 000-litre water tanks,” the department’s Gauteng Provincial Head, Sibusiso Mthembu, said on Friday.

Mthembu said the provision of the water tanks to the 11 schools will go a long way towards ensuring that the schools are better prepared to resume teaching and learning, and that both learners and staff are sufficiently protected in the midst of the spread of COVID-19.

He warned that the lack of adequate access to water at schools would be detrimental.

“Hammanskraal is one of the areas with ongoing water challenges and this necessitated that it receives specific focus, especially as schools have reopened. We are acutely aware of the need to provide adequate water supply to schools, especially in areas that have water challenges.

“One of the ways to prevent the spread of Coronavirus is to make sure the challenge of water shortages at schools is swiftly addressed. Learners have lost so much time and must catch up as fast as possible. There is no need to burden them with issues of water shortages,” Mthembu said.

He called on other stakeholders in the water sector to extend a helping hand so that no school is left without all the necessary requirements to ensure the smooth resumption and continuation of learning and teaching.

“Education is one area of our important enterprises and therefore requires everyone to play a role. The provision of water for learners to wash their hands regularly is but one of the necessities needed for learners to catch up on their studies,” Mthembu said.

Over the past seven days, COVID-19 cases in Gauteng have doubled, with hospital admissions increasing and 20 more people dying as a result of COVID-19.

“Gauteng has entered a new period in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic is gaining momentum. We must face this reality head-on and mobilise all resources and energy to save lives,” Gauteng Premier David Makhura said.

As of Thursday, the province had a total of 7 953 COVID-19 cases, 4 948 active cases, 2 948 recoveries and 57 deaths. The province has screened 7 458 034 people and conducted 338 211 tests.

The Premier on Friday led the Provincial Command Council media briefing as the provincial government provided an update on COVID-19.

“Cumulatively, 1 033 patients were admitted in hospital, 476 of whom were discharged and 57 succumbed to the infection. Currently, 493 patients are admitted in hospital, 22 of whom are ventilated and 124 on oxygen,” he said.

Public servants affected by COVID-19

Since March, 335 public servants in Gauteng have tested positive for the virus. This includes public Health workers and Educators.

“Like all other patients, affected staff and their family members are receiving care and treatment in line with the World Health Organisation protocols. All other staff members, who were in contact with those who tested positive, have been tested and will follow all protocols to prevent the spread of the virus,” Makhura said.

There is ongoing decontamination of all public buildings regularly, as part of the measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

In addition, public servants undergo daily screening and some are referred for testing, as part of continuous medical surveillance protocol.

In its efforts to save lives, the province is planning to meet with the Minister of Health in the coming week for reinforcement and further support in order to strengthen government’s response.

“We call for significant behavioural change among the residents of our province: wear masks, wash your hands, sanitise and observe physical distance. We are deeply concerned about the surge in the number of trauma cases related to alcohol abuse,” Makhura said.

The Premier said everyone must take the necessary precautionary measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

“Based on the current patient load, we have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in stock. However, we continue to order more stock for the next phases of the pandemic,” he said.

Makhura emphasised that surgical and N95 masks must be reserved for use only by frontline healthcare workers.

“Priority is on the empowerment of local manufacturing companies; small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and township businesses,” he said.

Schools reopening

Most schools have now reopened, while some remain closed for various reasons, primarily due to issues relating to infrastructure, and specifically the supply of water, as well as the availability of ablution facilities.

“A number of schools have been temporarily closed due to confirmed COVID-19 cases. In some of these instances, we are awaiting the report from the Department of Health to confirm that it is safe to reopen.

“Both learner and teacher attendance has been above the 85%. A detailed assessment will be done at the end of the week. Many teachers, who have not returned, are teachers with comorbidities,” the Premier said.

Most of the learners, who did not return to school, have comorbidities or parents chose not to send them back to school.

“We are consolidating figures for educators and learners with comorbidities, which could influence the attendance rate in our schools,” the Premier said.

Government is working on the modalities of distributing the relief fund for the taxi industry, which has been negatively affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

When the regulations for the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown were first introduced, they prescribed a maximum loading capacity of 50%. This was later changed to a loading capacity of 70%, as the industry was operating at a loss.

According to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, all relevant government departments are in agreement with the provision of relief for the taxi industry.

“These funds are to assist the industry. They cannot place the losses that the operators have incurred as a result of COVID-19,” the Minister said on Thursday.

He made the remarks after his meetings with the leadership of the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).

The agenda for both meetings was the lockdown regulations and the mechanisms for State-sponsored financial assistance for the taxi industry.

“The sector and the Department of Transport cleared the air with regards to taxi fares. Both the NTA and SANTACO advised that although fares increases are not out of the ordinary, as they occur annually in most industries, increases should not be unreasonable,” the department said.

The Minister noted that many industries, including government, were affected by COVID-19.

“Transport entities such as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency and the Airports Company South Africa are also struggling to make ends meet. Government resources are limited, the fiscus is already overstretched,” he said.

Mbalula pledged to place the industry’s concerns before National Treasury and the National Coronavirus Command Council.

The Minister will also consult with members of the executive council responsible for transport and revert to the NTA and SANTACO next week.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has effected changes to regulations and directions issued during the COVID-19 National State of Disaster.

The department said the changes come after consultations with the Department of Health and other key stakeholders in relevant fields.

“The amendments withdraw and effect changes to some earlier provisions issued since the start of the National State of Disaster to combat the destructive and other effects of the national disaster,” the department said.

The changes include, among others, directions on call centres providing essential services and the sale of cars and emergency automobile repairs.

On 4 June 2020, Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, issued the directions addressing health protocols applicable across sectors, including the need for sector guidelines.

The department said that the representatives of the industry have subsequently agreed to maintain the health and safety measures contained in the respective directions, and these directions have thus been withdrawn.

In addition, the department said, the directions issued relating to the sale of clothing, bedding and footwear, as published on Government Notice No. R. 523 12 May 2020, expired on 31 May 2020 and are therefore no longer applicable.

Categories of medication no longer require export permits

The regulations related to export controls, under section 6 of the International Trade Administration Act, 2002 (Act No. 71 of 2002), have also been amended and simplified.

“This means a number of categories of medication (set out at 8-digit level), will no longer require export permits under the COVID-19 Export Control regime. In addition, these medicines deemed critical in the fight against COVID-19, will no longer require export permits when exporting to Southern African Customs Union (SACU) or for clinical trials,” the department said.

Block exemption for retail property

Following consultations with the Competition Commission, the department said, the regulations pertaining to the COVID-19 Block Exemption for the Retail Property Sector have been amended to include the cinema exhibition industry.

“The regulations are aimed at exempting certain conduct between designated retail tenants and the retail property sector to promote concerted conduct to prevent an escalation of the national disaster,” the department explained.

The gazette on new amendments can be accessed on http://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/43432_11-6_TradeIndustCompetition.pdf.

There are over 58 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with more than 1 million tests having been conducted as of Thursday.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the outbreak rose to 1 284, as the country recorded 74 new fatalities over the last 24 hours.

Out of the recent deaths reported, 39 are from the Western Cape, 31 from the Eastern Cape and four from the North West.

“As of today, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 58 568,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said on Thursday.

This is an increase of 3 157 cases from those reported on Wednesday.

The Health Department also announced its breakthrough in reaching the 1 million mark for testing, with 29 999 tests done since the last report.

“We have reached a milestone in testing: 1 028 399 tests have been conducted cumulatively,” Mkhize said.

The Western Cape remains the epicentre with the highest number of cases reported at 37 422, followed by Gauteng with 7 953 cases, the Eastern Cape with 7 868 and KwaZulu-Natal with 3 472.

Meanwhile, the North West has 757 cases, Free State 406, Limpopo 267, Mpumalanga 228, Northern Cape 132 and 63 are still unallocated.

Cabinet, at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, has received an updated report from the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC).

The NCCC tabled several recommendations about the enhanced risk-adjusted alert level 3 of the national lockdown. South Africa entered level 3 lockdown on 01 June 2020.

South Africa’s infection rate increased by 2 430 to 55 421 on Wednesday, as the country ramps up testing for COVID-19. The country has tested close to a million people, an increase of 30 330 tests in the past 24 hours.

Cabinet decided to defer approval of the recommendations pending a full health assessment report from the Ministerial Health Advisory Committee on COVID-19.

The NCCC is expected to receive the full presentation by early next week.

“The recommendations are based on submissions made by various sectors and deliberations by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure,” the Cabinet statement said.

This was among recommendations by Cabinet during its virtual meeting on Wednesday, according to the statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Thursday.

In the meantime, Cabinet said it was still appealing to all South Africans to adhere to measures put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“The measures include regular washing of hands, social distancing and the wearing of masks when in public.”

Gender-based violence

At the meeting this week, Cabinet also approved the Gender-Based Violence policy framework in Post-School Education and Training System that seeks to respond to the increased number of cases at institutions of higher learning.

The policy framework provides guidance on structures, mechanisms and processes that institutions of higher learning must put in place to prevent incidents of GBV in their campuses.

“In addition to providing oversight structures, it also compels such institutions to create awareness on their GBV policies,” said the statement.

National Petroleum Company

Cabinet approved the proposed appointment of a professional restructuring company that specialises in mergers to investigate the most viable model of this single National Petroleum Company.

“The rationalisation will result in three subsidiaries, that is, PetroSA, Strategic Fuel Fund and iGas merged into one single National Petroleum Company.”

Cabinet said this gives effect to the announcement made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address on 13 February 2020, to repurpose and rationalise some state-owned enterprises to support growth and development.

Resistance and Liberation Movement Museum

Cabinet approved the feasibility study report on the establishment of the Resistance and Liberation Movement Museum (RLMM) to contribute towards conserving the history of the resistance and liberation struggle in South Africa.

“The study, which Cabinet approved in 2015, was commissioned within the context of the Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route (RLHR) Project. The RLHR contributes towards the development and transformation of the South African heritage landscape.”

The museum is said to conserve a series of heritage elements and provide common narrative, memory and experiences relating to the liberation struggle in the country once completed.

National Khoi and San Heritage Route

“Cabinet approved the implementation of the National Khoi and San Heritage Route, which is a national legacy project,” the Cabinet statement said.

The route will identify, highlight, conserve and promote the heritage of the Khoi, Nama, Griekwa, Khorana and San, while addressing the previously neglected and marginalised South African history.

“It also gives effect to the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act 3 of 2019), which legislate for the recognition of the Khoi and San traditional leaders.”

Designs of 2021 and 2022 commemorative coins

Cabinet further approved the designs of the 2021 and 2022 commemorative circulation coins which are issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the South African Mint Company.

The R5 commemorative circulation coin and the R5 sterling silver, gold plated collectors’ coin will be issued in 2021 to celebrate the Centenary of the SARB.

The fourth Decimal Coin Series of South Africa, which will be issued in 2022, will consist of 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent, R1, R2 and R5 coin.

Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill of 2020

Cabinet approved the submission of the Financial Sector Laws Amendment Bill of 2020 to Parliament.

The Bill proposes to designate the SARB as the Resolution Authority and enhances the SARB’s regulatory tools for discharging its statutory mandate of ensuring the stability of the financial system.

“The Bill proposes a new framework to resolve financial institutions, primarily banks when they enter a period of financial distress. It also introduces South Africa’s first comprehensive deposit insurance scheme that will ensure that depositors are paid their funds when a bank fails.”

Cabinet said such a scheme will protect the vulnerable depositors and ensure minimal disruptions to the financial system and broader economy when such institutions enter into financial distress.

South Africa’s infection rate has increased by 2 430 to 55 421 on Wednesday, as the country ramps up testing for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, there are 48 new COVID-related deaths, bringing the toll to 1 210. Of the additional deaths, 37 are from the Western Cape, nine from the Eastern Cape and two from KwaZulu-Natal.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

The Western Cape remains the epicentre of the disease, with has the highest death toll at 927 and 36 021 infections.

The Eastern has a record of 147 deaths from its 7 154 cases, KwaZulu-Natal has 64 deaths from its 3 347 cases, while Gauteng has 57 deaths from its 7 195 cases.

Free State has nine deaths from its 401 cases and Limpopo three from its 257 cases.

Meanwhile, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape each have one death reported.

The country has tested close to a million people, an increase of 30 330 tests in the past 24 hours.

Furthermore, the recoveries to date are 31 505, which translates to 56.8%, while the death rate is at 2.2%.

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As the number of COVID-19 infection cases in the country continues to rise, with the national death toll now at 1080, President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of COVID-19 victims, who have succumbed to the virus.

“Each one of these deaths is a tragedy. Each one represents a unique life: a parent, a child, a sibling or a friend. Each one leaves behind a family and a community in mourning.

“I would like to offer my condolences to all South Africans who have lost someone they love, and wish them strength, courage and hope in the days ahead,” said the President.

On Monday, the total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 50 879.

Over 400 000 deaths have been recorded across the world, making this one of the most devastating pandemics in the last century.

“We should take this moment to remind ourselves that the Coronavirus presents a real danger to all of us. While it may be an invisible enemy, it is nevertheless deadly,” said the President.

While most of those infected with the virus will have only mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all, they can still spread the disease to others who may suffer far more.

To protect themselves and others, the President urged citizens to continue to wear a mask when in public so that it covers the mouth and nose, wash hands frequently with soap or sanitiser, and not to sit or stand too close to others in public transport or in a store.

“While some have tried to downplay the threat posed by the Coronavirus, the majority of South Africans have understood its danger and have acted accordingly. Indeed, the patience and solidarity demonstrated by so many South Africans have saved many thousands of lives,” said President Ramaphosa.

With the country still anticipating its peak, the President said government will continue to take whatever action necessary to safeguard the lives of citizens.

Under lockdown, government built the capacity of the country’s health system, adding thousands of hospital and quarantine beds, securing adequate medical supplies and personal protective equipment, and putting training and protocols in place at all its healthcare facilities to prepare for an increase in infections.

“These measures will prove invaluable as the number of cases continues to increase. Indeed, this is the moment that we have prepared for. We have been advised by experts that the epidemic will become worse before it gets better,” said the President.

President Ramaphosa said while the country has had sufficient capacity to cope with the rate of infection so far, it will continue to monitor the situation closely. If necessary, government will impose a higher alert level in specific parts of the country to prevent a rapid increase in cases.

“It is therefore crucial that all South Africans adhere to the restrictions that remain in place and continue to take basic precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. These precautions remain our best defence against the Coronavirus and are necessary to save lives.

“We all need to play our part in the fight against the Coronavirus. Stay safe and protect South Africa,” said the President.